MONTEGO BAY, April 17 (JIS):

Jamaica’s law-enforcement landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with the digitisation of police stations across the island in progress.

The recent opening of Jamaica’s first fully digitised police station in Hopewell, Hanover, marked a pivotal moment in the country’s policing history, signalling a shift towards a more technology-driven approach to law enforcement.

According to Head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Stephanie Lindsay, the initiative to digitise police stations is set to revolutionise the way policing is conducted in Jamaica.

SSP Lindsay highlighted that the Hopewell Police Station boasts a state-of-the-art computerised infrastructure, where traditional handwritten processes are being replaced by digital systems.

Reports are now logged into computers, marking a departure from the age-old practice of recording information in physical logbooks.

“One of the key innovations introduced at the Hopewell Police Station is the implementation of a customer relationship management survey system, accessible via touch-screen devices,” she told reporters at the recent opening of the facility.

“This system allows individuals to provide feedback on the service received from officers, and the overall performance of the station. Such technology-driven initiatives aim to enhance accountability, transparency, and public trust in law-enforcement agencies,” she added.

SSP Lindsay said that the station is also monitored by closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and that policemen and policewomen will be equipped with body cameras and e-ticketing machines, while their two assigned vehicles are monitored with an Amber alert tracking system.

“Another 200-plus stations islandwide will be gradually transformed into fully automated police stations,” she added.

Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, said the digitisation of police stations is not only a long-awaited necessity but an essential step in empowering law-enforcement officers with modern tools to combat crime effectively.

He told JIS News that the police force has become more modernised over the years, attracting highly qualified talent and is more in line with worldwide best practices, adding that the Government is fully committed to providing them with the necessary resources to carry out their duties efficiently.

“The strategic significance of the Hopewell Police Station as Jamaica’s first smart facility cannot be overstated,” Dr. Chang said, underscoring that the implementation of advanced technologies in policing would attract highly qualified individuals to join the force, further raising the standard of law enforcement in the country.

Plans, the Minister said, are already under way to equip additional police stations with similar digital infrastructure, ensuring that the benefits of automation and modernisation are extended to all corners of Jamaica.

He added that the transition from manual to digital processes not only enhances operational efficiency but also enables law-enforcement agencies to adapt to the evolving demands of contemporary policing.

“The digitisation of Jamaica’s police stations represents a significant step forward in leveraging technology to enhance public safety, improve service delivery, and foster greater community engagement,” Dr. Chang further noted.

“As the country embraces this digital transformation, it paves the way for a more effective and responsive law enforcement sector, poised to address the complex challenges of modern-day policing. With the advent of automated processes and computerised systems, Jamaica is forging a path towards a safer and more secure future for all its citizens,” he added.

Since 2019, through Project Rebuild, Overhaul and Construct (ROC), the Ministry of National Security has led the charge to convert all police stations into modern, citizen-friendly workspaces, while creating the ambience for citizens to engage the police willingly and comfortably.

The new Hopewell facility, which will serve 20 surrounding communities, is expected to provide more efficient and responsive services, leading to an overall improvement in public safety and crime-prevention efforts.

The station has been operationalised under the standard operating procedures of the JCF and features a digitised customer service kiosk, where citizens give feedback on their experience with individual police officers while making reports at the station.

CONTACT: JIS REGIONAL OFFICE

KINGSTON, April 17 (JIS): 

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, says significant progress has been made with the publishing of names of the members of the Transitional Presidential Council for Haiti.

The names of the members were published on April 16 in the Le Moniteur. Haiti has been experiencing a humanitarian, security, socio-economic and political crisis.

Establishment of the Transitional Presidential Council for Haiti was the landmark outcome following a high-level meeting of regional Heads, international partners, and Haitian stakeholders on Haiti, on March 11, which paves the way for a peaceful transition of power and the road to free and fair elections.

The high-level meeting was hosted by Jamaica and chaired by Guyana.

“The landmark outcome was the document which sets out the agreement to establish a transitional presidential council, comprised of seven voting members and two non-voting members, and the agreement that, on the establishment of the Council and their naming of a Prime Minister, Prime Minister (Ariel) Henry and his Council of Ministers would resign, paving the way for a new political process towards new free and fair democratic elections,” the Minister said.

Senator Johnson Smith was speaking today (April 17), at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

“I just wanted to update that the process made significant progress yesterday (April 16), when the official decree naming the members was published in Le Moniteur in Haiti, as required by their legal procedures,” she stated.

She noted that queries arose when the decree was previously published without naming the members of the Council.

“The Council members have now been named… which we believe will set a new path, or rather a new energy behind the process which is under way,” the Minister said.

“There are still some issues that are being sorted out in terms of the content of the decree, but it has included the criteria that had been agreed in the outcome declaration of March 11, and does set the way for the next procedural steps on the path back to democracy,” she added.

The Minister noted, too, that a political accord has been developed by the Transitional Council, which builds out their areas of responsibility and sets a framework for how they will function.

“So, that has built a lot of confidence, in the sense that there is clarity around how it is they plan to vote internally and operate the areas of focus, including, of course, the establishment of the Provisional Electoral Council and a National Security Council that will manage arrangements in respect of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, which has been authorised by the UN,” she said.

Senator Johnson Smith encouraged members of the international community to provide support for Haiti.

“The partners continue to meet; the US, of course, has been the primary proponent of funding for the MSS, but we continue to encourage all members of the international community to provide support, even as they are providing support to other conflicts across the world. We also continue to thank Kenya for their willingness to lead the initiative,” she said.

The Minister said training for the multinational mission that will provide support to  the Haitian National Police Force is also progressing.

“So again, I remind this is not an intervention. It is not a military intervention. It is not a takeover. It is a provision of necessary and practical support to  a national police force that is outgunned and outmanned in the face of criminal gangs,” Senator Johnson Smith said.

The Minister noted that training is going well.  “We have 59 members of the Royal Bahamian Defence Force, 50 members of the Belizian Defence Force here training at the JDF with support and engagement by members of the Canadian Defence Force, who again are all here in partnership, looking at how we can work towards restoring peace and stability in Haiti to set the stage for free and fair elections,” she said.

CONTACT: CHRIS PATTERSON

Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer

With the ongoing conflict between Guyana and Venezuela, reports indicate that Guyana is strengthening its military capabilities, acquiring equipment from overseas.

The most recent development is the signing of a $42 million deal with France, to acquire an offshore military patrol vessel set to be put in commission in 2025 alongside two metal shark military patrol vessels from the United States, that are scheduled to arrive in a matter of weeks, as highlighted in reports.

Venezuela, weeks ago, in the Netherlands, filed a legal defense for its claims to Essequibo at the World  Court and ironically, this agreement between Guyana and France came the same day, mere hours ahead of Venezuela’s plans.

Venezuela’s move was highlighted on the social media platform X by Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who expressed that documents will be presented showing Venezuela’s right for Essequibo.

She described the arrival of the Venezuelan delegation in the Netherlands as one to “deliver the historical truth.”

This came after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on December 1, 2023, ordered that Venezuela must not take any action that could alter the status quo in Essequibo.

Speaking at a recent military officers conference, President Irfaan Ali expressed that his country’s current efforts are a show of its dedication to defend itself.

“As we grow, the threats are going to become more sophisticated. While we are a peaceful state, no one should underestimate our resolve at protecting our territory and safeguarding national sovereignty. Let not our peaceful intent be mistaken for weakness. As I said recently, we will not bend to threats nor cower in the face of intimidation,” he maintained according to reports.

Additionally, Guyana has ordered medium range helicopters, four of them, from the Bell Corporation of Texas as well as night vision tech and long range drones among other high tech equipment.

Adding to that are transport planes from India. In fact, in recent weeks, on March 31st, Ali posted on Facebook that two Dornier 228 planes arrived from The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), to the Guyana Defence Force, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

These are major developments for Guyana which arrived after top western and American government officials visited the island over the past few months. Included in the list of visitors are U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, CIA Director William. J. Burns and  U.S. Southern Military Commander General, Laura Richardson.